The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1887-12-17
FARMERS INSTITUTES.

OF the country, says an agticul-
tural writer in the Times, Of
Chicago and have been produc
tive of great good. During the
past few years they have been
conducted in more systcmane
manner than ever before, and
the results were in all respects
moro satisfactory. Probably the
best series of Farmers Institutes
ever held in the county were
those conducted in Wisconsin, dur.
Ing last winter. During the COM
ing winter institutes will be cor
ducted in no less chan eighty-two
towns IN that state, the lpgisla-
lures having made an appropria-
tion to cover lie expense Of
them. A series of farmers in
stitutes will also be held in Iowa,
commencing about the second
week in December. DELEGATES
from various agricultural orgaid-
cations in the state met during the
recent fair at Des Moines and
agreed TO arrange a limited mum
Der of institutes IN the towns that
offer the best inducements in the
form of money to pay expenses
and Accommodations to persons who
may attend.
The usefulness Of farmers in
stitutes depends vtry largely on
the way they are conducted.
Often much time is wasted in
forms and ceremonies There is
a long address of welcome by the
mayor OF head man ID the pace
and response by the president
Of the institute. These consume
time and ale OF no practical value.
An institute should commence
ike q days work on the farm at
seeding time-by coming right
down 10 business. The persons
present are presumed to be vel
come or they would not be there.
All pretty speeches that do nor
pertain to the matters under CON
sideration can be dispensed with.
A brass band or a glee club is as
much out of place at a farmers
institute rs in haryest-iield or a
thrashing- yard. A meeting OF
farmers called for the purpose Of
acquiring information should not
be a variety performance. The
desire fol social pleasures should
not cause 1t to be converted into
a picnic. A circus OF minstrel
performance is all well enough in
its way, but it does not enlighten
u farmer on the way to secuie a
large crop Of potatoes or infoi m
him how to keep his apple or.
chard free from rabbits and tie
structive insects.
There is always danger that
/ politicians, patent light shhrps,
and persons who have hobbies 10
ride and axes to grind, viii seek
to aecupy the time at farmers
institute. They should be treat
ed like book-canyassers, lightning
rod contractors, and sewing-ma-
chine agents. They can be told
to call some fair day when the
hall where the meetings are held
is locked up. The most sue ess-
ful farmers arc not always tie
best persons 10 conduct institute
or even to read papers. A man
may manage a iarp admirably,
bat make complete failure IN
managing Il iarmels' institute or
in making an address before Que.
Many excellent farmers are bash
ful; others unaccuStome d to
writing essays or speaking in pub
lie. They have valuable ideas,
but it is hard for them to ccm-
munieate them to ar audience Of
ST. angers. They are 20 ID men
to have at an institute, and much
valuable information can be OBJ
taired from them by a judicicus
system Of questioning. Many
men not engaged ID farming arc
well versed IN various Departments
Of social economy In almost
every country IN the world minis
ters have done more to enlarge
our knowledge Of bees than the
members of anv other profession.
There is generally disposition
on part Of the managers Of far.
meFs' institutes to arrange FOR af.
fordlng instructions on great
variety Of subjects in orter to
make the exercises Interesting and
profitable TO ali that may be
\ present. It is ordinarily the case
! that too many topics are discuss
ed. SO short a time is given 10
each that il is not treated with